November 17, 2010

Edwin Leer

Edwin Leer, 77, more recently of Bismarck, N.D., formerly of Alexander, N.D., died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, at Medcenter One in Bismarck after a long illness. His funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alexander. Pastor Tim Swenson and Pastor Nadine Lehr officiated, and interment followed in Rawson Cemetery, southeast of Alexander. Friends may sign the online register book and give their condolences at www.fulkersons.com.
Edwin was born Oct. 2, 1933, to Emil and Esther (Mahlum) Leer, in rural McKenzie County, N.D. He grew up in Alexander and graduated from Alexander High School. After beating cancer as a young man, he married the love of his life, Claire Quale, on Dec. 26, 1954, in Alexander, where they lived and raised their family.
A talented mechanic, Edwin overhauled his first car at age ten. After high school, he attended the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, N.D., graduating as a certified diesel mechanic in 1952. After graduation, he worked in Alexander as a mechanic in Clarence Melland’s shop, and at the Alexander Farmer’s Grain and Oil gas station. In 1958, he began working as a mechanic at Jacobson Implement, Alexander. In 1977, Edwin, Claire and partners bought the implement business and renamed it ValEd Equipment. He continued working there after the business was sold until he retired in 2009.
In 1958, Edwin and Claire bought farmland about 13 miles south of Alexander, on which they raised wheat and other grains until 2001.
Edwin was very active in, and a huge booster of, his community. He was a charter member of the Alexander Lions Club; served on the Alexander school board for twelve years, including as president; and was a volunteer fireman. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served on the Church Council several times. He also was a member of the Lutheran Brotherhood, and was actively involved in the church’s annual lutefisk supper. For more than 50 years, he coordinated and served the beans at the community’s annual Old Settlers’ Day picnic. Edwin also helped develop and build the Alexander golf course, and was an active member of the Alexander Golf Club, including serving as president.
Nothing gave Edwin greater joy than his family. He was fun-loving, kind and gentle, and loved it most when his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were all around him. He loved attending their sporting, music and other events, and was so proud of every one of them.
Edwin is survived by his five children: Loreeta Canton and her husband, Don, Bismarck; Wade Leer and his wife, Belva, Williston; Lenore Romo and her special friend, Gene Berndt, Williston; Lanette Lushenko and her husband, Mark, Canby, Ore.; and Lazetta Leer and her fiancé, Jeremy Kjos, Bismarck; 17 grandchildren: Austen, Amanda and Adam Frank; Sarah, Matthew and Andrew Leer; Tanya (Mike) Wilson, Lisa (Wes) Steppler, and Shawn Romo; Danielle, Hailie and Christian Lushenko; Alan Wigness, Tiara and Julianna Fuhrman, and Logan and Nicholas Kjos; five great-grandchildren; his sister, Inga (Virgil) Bergstad, Bend, Ore.; aunt, Margaret Leer Eikren, Alexander; sister-in-law, Wilma Leer, Ridgecrest, Calif.; sister- and brother-in-law, Carol and Wally Sims, Billings, Mont.; brother- and sister-in-law, Alan and Kathy Quale, San Mateo, Calif.; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
Edwin was preceded in death by his wife, Claire; his parents; his brother, Eugene Leer; and his grandson, Darin Romo.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful caregivers at the Baptist Home in Bismarck, and to the nurses and doctors at Medcenter One.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER